Adventures in Tabletop Photography

For a steady amount of time now I’ve been shooting for an auction house. They are still struggling with growth and personalities. However, it’s given me much experience with tabletop photography and creating an efficient studio environment. This coming auction will be the sixth auction I’ve shot. And I’m starting work on auction seven.

The owner of the company prides himself on the beautiful catalogs he produces for his auctions. Of the six auctions they will have held, three have been with catalog and three have been online only.

Thus far, I’ve had the privilege of photographing some very “interesting” and historically important items. For this next auction I’ve been shooting portions of two consignments of swords. There’s also two (I believe) collections of daggers I’m shooting too. My personal challenge this auction is to get the blades of these edged weapons with as smooth and clear a reflection in the blade as possible. With that comes the limitations of the size of studio space I’ve been given to work within. Can you say nine foot ceiling? Ugh. Anyway, Its seems my six by six by six light tent, so far, is going to do the trick.

Given the small amount of creative flexibility I’m given. Hey, I am shooting for a client after all. With that window of flexibility I’m sharing in this post, my best work with swords and daggers yet.

As you can see the blades are very, very clean. The wavy lines in the reflection are crease in the light tent material. I.e. my next tweak

Everyone’s a photographer. Not everyone can become a Joey L, a Leibowitz, a McNally.

I consider myself a studio photographer. Any terminology will do. Tabletop, studio, product, still life, etc. They all have overlapping similarities. But I guess I still need a label.

Here is recent client work of a series of Imperial & Third Reich presentation swords. Presentation swords are ceremonial only, the edge(s) haven’t been sharpened. Sometimes I get a sword that has dings up and down the edge of the blade and I think, oh boy, somebody was playing with daddy’s sword.

The “dramatic” gasping sound the nearly drowned movie character makes breaking the surface, sucking in a life-giving breath. I should stop worrying so much.

I can catch my breath now. It’s been a full year of work and I’ve taken care of myself too. Losing fifty pounds since March has been another self-inflicted challenge. That gasping sound I mentioned, yeah that one. I’m finally going able to relax a bit (more) between now and the end of the year. In July, the 500 pound gorilla on my back dropped off when I found out the condition of the arteries in my heart are good and improving. I should stop worrying so much.

My main client provides me the opportunity for tabletop photography of antique items, mostly of a military nature. From hat pins to machine guns, I enjoy the studio work, the technical aspect, the ever-changing setup, lighting scenarios and attention to detail. Another client I occasionally shoot for allows me the opportunity to photograph (on-location) rare and antique items up to and including small furniture from colonial through antebellum and in to the “lost cause” period. I’m learning to stop worrying so much.

I am available for assignment. I’d like to speak with you about your next project.